GUJARAT
Gujarat ranks second in e-transactions on govt portals
Gujaratis seem to have fully utilized online access to government services during the Covid-
19 induced lockdown. The state, earlier ranked third in e-transactions for state and civic
body services after Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, has climbed to the second spot
overtaking Andhra Pradesh in 2020.
Gujarat as has recorded 67.3 crore hits on e-governance websites, which is second best
after Kerala’s 93.5 crore hits and better than Andhra Pradesh which had 65.7 crore hits.
According to government officials, this year Gujarat’s official websites and e-governance
portals recorded the highest hits in five years.
The e-transactions made on the e-governance websites of all states in the country are
recorded by the Union ministry of electronics and information technology.
INTERNATIONAL
Pandemics to emerge more often in the future – IPBES Report
In a report released by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and
Ecosystem (IPBES), the authors have warned that future pandemics will emerge more often
and spread more rapidly, do more damage to the world and kill more people than COVID-
19, unless preventive measures are taken.
The report states that COVID-19 is at least the sixth pandemic to have taken place in the last
century since the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918. Three of the pandemics were caused
by influenza viruses, which include HIV, SARS, and COVID-19.
The current pandemic's origins lie in microbes carried by animals. Like all pandemics, its
emergence has been entirely by human activities.
Over 1.7 million currently 'undiscovered' viruses exist in mammals and birds, out of which
up to 827,000 could have the ability to infect people.
Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem (IPBES):
It is an intergovernmental organization established to improve the interface between
science and policy on biodiversity and ecosystem services issues. It is set by the United
Nations formed in 2012. It functions independently. And it is headquartered in Bonn,
Germany.
NATIONAL
India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
India has asked the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members for the facilitation of the
return of Indians who want to continue their work with the relaxing of Covid-19 restrictions.
This can happen through sustainable travel bubble arrangements.
Nearly 8 million and above Indians live and work in West Asia, in which a majority of them
are within the region covered by the GCC, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
‘Transport Bubbles’ or ‘Air Travel Arrangements’ are two temporary arrangements between
two countries aimed at restarting commercial passenger services when regular international
flights are suspended as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. They are reciprocal, meaning
airlines from both countries enjoy similar benefits.
Both countries affirmed their commitment to reform multilateral institutions to reflect the
21st century's realities and work together to address contemporary challenges such as the
Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, sustainable development, and terrorism.
The GCC welcomed India's inclusion in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non-
permanent member from January 2021.
India had a meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a leading regional organization
comprising almost all Arab countries virtually.
Shortfall of GST
A total of 22 states and 3 Union Territories have opted for Option 1. The States who choose
Option-1 to receive the amount of shortfall arising out of GST implementation through a
unique borrowing window put in place by India's Government.
The window has been operationalized at present, & the Government of India (GoI) already
borrowed Rs.12,000 crores for the States in two instalments, that have been given on to the
states and Union Territories that opted for it.
Rajasthan took a decision to go with Option-1 to meet the GST implementation shortfall.
Rajasthan has opted for the Union Ministry of Finance's first option in August 2020 to face
the shortfall in revenue coming out of GST implementation.
Ministry of Defence to commemorate Indo-Pak 1971 war
Ministry of Defence invites Logo Designs to commemorate the Indian Armed Forces' victory
in the 1971 Indo – Pak war. In December 1971, the Indian Armed Forces (IAF) achieved a
stellar win over Pakistan, which led to Bangladesh's creation.
December 16, 2021, marks the 50th year of the famous victory, and the year 2021 is being
celebrated as the Swarnim Vijay Varsh.
The Ministry of Defence proposes a distinct logo that will specially find all events linked to
the Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebrations.
The Ministry of Defence has invited logo designs from citizens, and the winner would be
given a cash prize of Rs.50000.
The 1971 Indo-Pak War began, which culminated in the birth of a new nation Bangladesh.
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